Are the Dog Days of Summer Frying Your Lawn?

During the hot months our lawns and gardens roast. To combat aridity and keep our plants alive, we have to irrigate—and our water bills can reach astronomical proportions. Some municipalities enforce limits on how much H2O we can use to quench our plants’ thirst. So the cards can be stacked against us from the get-go. There are steps we can take to conserve water in the lawn. Not sending quite as big a check to the utility man is a benefit to these water-saving tactics.

Grass Drought-Beaters

Zoysia grass requires less mowing and watering in the summer. During the wintertime, it goes into dormancy which many find a drawback. But it goes into summertime dormancy during long periods of drought much later than bluegrass or fescue.

Bermuda grass is a warm season grass with low water requirements like zoysia. Its minor drawback is its invasive nature. It is known to spread aggressively into mulched areas of the landscape.

Buffalo grass is a good choice due to its drought-busting capabilities. It grows slowly and needs to be mowed twice a month at a height of two and a half inches. So if you’re not a fan of mowing and you can live with its tendency to be susceptible to weed infestation, it is worth looking into.

Tall fescue, with its deep root system, is a popular choice for good drought tolerance. It maintains its greenness and growth during sweltering periods much longer than Kentucky bluegrass. By mowing this turf at a height of 3 inches, its drought-busting capabilities can be greatly enhanced.

Kentucky bluegrass is a weak grass in terms of drought tolerance, particularly when grown on mounds or south-facing slopes.

Irritated by Irrigation? Try These Simple Tips:

Fertilize for a Strong Foundation

A rule of thumb concerning fertilization is 2 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet during May through July on warm season grasses like zoysia and Bermuda grass. For cool season grasses, use 2 to 4 pounds per 1000 square feet in September and October.

Grow a Tougher Grass

Tall fescue requires about 25 percent less water and zoysia needs half as much as Kentucky bluegrass. Generally, the ranking of tough grasses to heat and drought in order of most to least is: buffalo grass, Bermuda, zoysia, tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass.

Foster Deeper Root Growth

Grass with deep roots draw moisture from a greater volume of soil. They come equipped to beat the heat. Adopt a management that focuses on a deeper root system for improved drought resistance.

Mow Often But Not Much

Tall grass shades the soil, so avoid ‘scalping’ your lawn. Short lawns dry quickly and fade under the heat of the summer sun.

See you next time with more helpful tips from GardenPower with Joe Sherinski and your Local STIHL Dealer!

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